▪️Excitement among the boxers and NFs officials has unleashed a mix of fierce positivity and anticipation
August 7, 2026
The vibrant pulse of African boxing beats loudest in Kinshasa as the city prepares to host the premier IBA Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships from October 18–31, 2026.
Following a quiet 2025, the continent’s elite boxers and federation leaders are buzzing with renewed fire, backed by the International Boxing Association’s guaranteed prize funding.
General Ilunga Luyoyo, the interim President of IBA Africa and head of the Congolese Boxing Federation, has ignited high expectations across the continent by announcing the continent’s flagship boxing event once again fittingly returns to Kinshasa in what will also be a celebration of his appointment by the IBA to head IBA Africa in the new restructuring of boxing management.
After a stalled calendar in 2025, the announcement of an action-packed fortnight in the historic combat capital has turned anticipation into fierce ambition.
“We’re ready to host our top African boxers, R&Js, and NFs officials in Kinshasa, the Stade De Martyrs Gym will be packed daily because our fans love boxing passionately,” Luyoyo told boxersworld.co.ke
It goes without saying the spotlight of continental sports will shine brightly on General Luyoyo as he takes center stage to host the prestigious Africa Elite Boxing Championships. Known for his unwavering discipline and visionary leadership, General Luyoyo is set to transform the tournament into a display of African excellence, positioning himself as the focal point of the continent’s boxing renaissance.
General Luyoyo’s meticulous planning will ensure the championships transcend a typical sports tournament. He envisions an electrifying atmosphere that celebrates African culture, resilience, and athletic prowess. From superb training facilities to prime-time international broadcasting, his fingerprints will be on every detail.
As international delegates, boxing legends, and fans prepare for Kinshasa, Luyoyo will be the unifying figure, commanding respect and radiating the pride of a host determined to show the world that Africa can execute world-class sporting events.
For General Luyoyo, the tournament is not just about medals; it is a launchpad for his deepest passion: uplifting the lifestyles of African boxers. He understands that many fighters come from marginalized backgrounds, battling poverty long before they ever step into a ring. Luyoyo’s zeal manifests in his aggressive push for structural reforms.
As General Luyoyo and his team start preparations to host Africa’s flagship boxing event, the continent’s finest pugilists are sharpening their skills and setting their sights on Kinshasa’s canvas, among them Namibia’s Commonwealth Games silver medallist and African champion Tryagain Ndevelo, his compatriot who won bronze in Glasgow Philip Haoseb, Cape Verde’s powerhouse aiming to conquer the continental stage Ivanusa Moreira and Zambia’s Mwengo Mwale, World Championships quarterfinalist looking to claim gold after winning silver in the 2024 Africa Championships in Kinshasa.
Like all other ambitious tacticians, Kenya’s national team head coach Musa Benjamin is focused on Kinshasa where he is aiming for another podium finish after placing third in the 2024 Africa Championships.
National federation leaders including Zambian boxing head Boniface Sokoni and the South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO) president Siyabulela Mukwalo have all rallied behind the tournament with immense enthusiasm.
With the IBA stepping up to secure financial rewards for the boxers, Kinshasa promises explosive drama, national pride, and a lucrative new dawn for the sweet science in Africa.
